Where The Child Things Are - Page 15 of 17

“I’m reading to my kid’s class. What book should I pick?” This is a common question we get at the Youth Desk, and a fun one! It’s an invitation for us to gush about our favorite books. We understand the pressure you’re under. Your child may think you’re an awesome bedtime storyteller, but there’s more… Read More about Parents in the Classroom

This time of year, the days are cold, the nights are long, and the kids spend too much time indoors - playing video games, watching TV, or complaining they are bored. This is the perfect time to pull out a deck of cards or some board games and declare a Family Game Night. There are… Read More about Curing Cabin Fever: Family Game Night

Valentine’s Day is a great time to celebrate love for your whole family. Have your kids make a gift for Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, or another loved one. Work together to create a frame in which the kids can either put a photograph of themselves or a self-drawn picture. Get started by attending “Picture Me… Read More about Valentine’s Day

January may have felt like it was 85 days long, but guess what…we have an extra day in February too! We only have February 29, or Leap Day, every four years. Why? The calendar needs an extra day to align with Earth’s rotation around the sun. Without this extra day, we’d lose approximately five hours… Read More about 29 Ways to Celebrate the Leap Year

The Go-Go’s sang it best in their song, "Vacation": “Vacation, all I ever wanted Vacation, had to get away” According to the Oxford English Dictionary: A vacation is an extended period of leisure and recreation, especially one spent away from home or traveling. A staycation is a vacation spent in one's home country rather than… Read More about National Plan for Vacation Day

Today, January 21, is National Hugging Day. If you are like me, you might be surprised to find out that hugs have their own day. Now this doesn’t mean hugs are only good to give or receive one day a year. Did you know that hugging has both physiological and psychological benefits? Actual Scientific Benefits… Read More about National Hugging Day

Every year, we are excited to see which children's books will earn coveted nominations for the Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King book awards. The American Library Association announces the winners at their midwinter meeting on the last Monday in January, and children's librarians across the country shout with glee when their favorites are chosen!… Read More about GEPL’s Mock Caldecott Awards

JANUARY Expand your reading choices Make a resolution this year to read more diversely in 2020. Sure, check out those well-loved favorites, but add some new genres and authors, too. From board books to older fiction, there are great authors to be discovered. Here are just a few (ask at the Youth Desk for more… Read More about New Year, New Decade: How Will You Embrace the Year(s) Ahead?

I love living near Chicago. We’re so lucky to be a frequent stop on world tours for popular artists and performers. My favorite thing to do is experience Broadway in Chicago—Hamilton, anyone? Chicago’s home to famous museums and other historical landmarks. In 2020, I’m looking forward to seeing world famous art right here in Glen… Read More about 2020: The Year of Frida

'Tis the season! All the top toy lists are out, and while browsing through toys filled with slime or “fart-inspired” scents, I’m asking myself, “What is it with kids these days?!” However, I remind myself that it’s not really kids these days. When I was a kid, my favorite summer reading theme was B.A.R.F. (Books… Read More about (Books) These Days

One of my favorite days of the year is Cookie Day. You might not have heard of Cookie Day unless you participate in a version of it yourself. For me, Cookie Day happens annually in December and involves myself, my sister, and two of our childhood friends who gather for a day-long cookie baking extravaganza.… Read More about Cookie Day

As the weather gets colder and snowier, kids start to spend more time indoors. What’s more appealing than an iPad or TV? It’s an ongoing struggle many parents face: children want more and more screen time, yet the research is showing that screen time isn’t great for kids. So, how best to minimize technology usage… Read More about Screen Time Struggles